Lisa DeJong / The Plain DealerSharon Rosenberg was cheated of her retirement savings by thief.

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Sharon Rosenberg spent many days testifying in court during her two decades as a forensic scientist, but she still was unprepared for what it would be like to sit in a courtroom as a victim.

Her friend and caretaker for several years, Evon Moles, stole $312,862 from Rosenberg and used the money for trips, jewelry and expensive gifts between 2006 and 2009.

Moles was arrested. She pleaded guilty to theft from the elderly or disabled on Aug. 4. Judge Forrest Burt sentenced her last month to three years in prison and ordered her to make full restitution, although Rosenberg doubts that will ever happen.

"I felt foolish," Rosenberg said in a recent interview. "A woman that I trusted stole money from me and I never had a clue."

Moles' attorney, Sandra Dray, could not be reached to comment.

Rosenberg, 68, of Claridon Township near Chardon, had made a career out of piecing together clues to solve mysteries. She worked for the Cuyahoga County Coroner's office for 26 years, testifying in high-profile cases, including the Jeffrey Lundgren cult killings in Lake County.

She retired in 1998 and planned to spend the rest of her life enjoying her retirement. But less than three years later, a stroke left her partially paralyzed.

"I was going to stop and smell the roses," she said. "Then the stroke hit me. I was in my house and my left foot wouldn't move. I knew exactly what it was when it was happening."

The stroke left her in need of a cane or a wheelchair to get around. Despite having cataract surgery, she still found it hard to write checks. So Moles offered to help.

"Evon wrote out checks for me, and I would blithely sign them without paying attention," Rosenberg said. "After all, she was my friend and I trusted her. I had Thanksgiving at her house."

Over a year ago, Rosenberg's financial adviser told her she was running out of money. Moles blamed Rosenberg, saying she spent too much. But Rosenberg was suspicious and asked another friend to help. They found that Moles had been paying her own bills, her daughter's bills, and buying things with money from Rosenberg's checking account.

Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland said the theft was reported on July 6, 2009, and what they found stunned investigators.

"I can't recall a bigger amount than this being stolen this way," he said. "This money was meant to last Sharon the rest of her life."

Moles cooperated and agreed to make full restitution, although Rosenberg doubts that will ever happen.

"She lived well on my money," Rosenberg said. "She took trips to Texas and Florida with her friends. Without knowing it, I paid for her oldest daughter to hire a private tutor to help her take a nursing board exam."

Rosenberg said she would rather have her money back, but knowing Moles is in prison is a small consolation.

"She has a parole hearing coming up after 180 days," said Rosenberg, who added she would attend and tell officials that Moles should stay locked up for the entire sentence.

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